Long Beach makes deal that avoids placing mental health center at former Army Reserve facility

LONG BEACH -- City officials have struck a tentative agreement to avoid placing a controversial mental health services facility at the former Schroeder Hall Army Reserve Center in East Long Beach.

The deal, announced Friday, would result in the city spending $4 million to buy and overhaul property in the 1900 block of Long Beach Boulevard, then lease it for 10 years to Mental Health America. The City Council is expected to vote on the expenditure on Tuesday.

Long Beach has sought the Schroeder Hall property at Willow Street and Grand Avenue to use for a new police substation, but officials were hamstrung by a federal mandate to provide some homeless services when Army properties are reused.

After officials considered other locations, the city was moving ahead with plans to place an MHA facility at the Schroeder Hall property - something that upset nearby residents. No homeless would have stayed at the potential facility overnight.

The neighborhood's representative, Councilwoman Gerrie Schipske, said she was pleased by the outcome even though she suggested the Long Beach Boulevard property three years ago.

"It's a satisfactory resolution for my neighborhood, for MHA and for the city," said Schipske. "I just think it's been a long time coming and I'm very appreciative we've been able to work something out. "

Mental Health America, which will eventually own the property, will be required to offer retail services such as coffee and baked goods at the new site as well as job training and mental health services to their clients.

Councilman Dee Andrews said in a statement that the agreement will draw much-needed amenities and community meeting space to his Sixth District.

"This $4 million investment brings jobs with professional employees working at the location, as well as job training, and a great retail establishment to reactivate this section of Long Beach Boulevard to serve all of the Long Beach community," said Andrews.

In the same statement, Dave Pilon, president and chief executive officer of Mental Health America Los Angeles, said his organization looks forward to serving the community at the facility and the opportunity to expand its existing cafe-bakery businesses.

"This location will enable our organization to address important community needs by providing healthcare services to some of the most vulnerable members of the community," said Pilon.